strubedog Posted April 2, 2006 Report Share Posted April 2, 2006 What options do I have for a good illuminated rifle scope under $1000. Will be putting it on a varmint caliber and am looking for 3x12 or 4x12/16. I want good light transmission and clarity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted April 2, 2006 Report Share Posted April 2, 2006 Re: Illuminated Riflescopes There are a few options: Leupold V-XIII 4.5-14X 50mm, 30mm Tube, Illum. $869 Burris Signature Select 4-16X 44mm Electrodot $519 Burris Euro Diamond 3-12X 50mm $569 Burris Xtreme Tactical XTR 3X-12X 50mm Illuminated (Ballistic Mil-Dot) $699 Nikon 6.5-20x44 Monarch $630 IOR 4-14x50 Hunting 30mm $690 IOR 4-14x50 Tactical 30mm $900 Simmons 4-14x44 Aetec Master Rifle Scope $226 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strubedog Posted April 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2006 Re: Illuminated Riflescopes Of those AJ which has the best clarity? Is the vx3 the only with with 30mm tube? I have never heard of IOR, what info can you share? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDubWSR Posted April 2, 2006 Report Share Posted April 2, 2006 Re: Illuminated Riflescopes the burris euro diamond and xtr both have 30mm tubes. I dont believe the nikon does, but im not gonna swear to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted April 2, 2006 Report Share Posted April 2, 2006 Re: Illuminated Riflescopes CDub is correct. The Nikon and the Simmons scopes have 1" tubes. The IOR, Leupy, and Burris Euro and XTR have 30mm tubes. IOR is a European company out of Romania. You can read a write up on them here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strubedog Posted April 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2006 Re: Illuminated Riflescopes Reguardless of price how would you rate the clarity/quality of glass in these scopes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted April 2, 2006 Report Share Posted April 2, 2006 Re: Illuminated Riflescopes I have not personally looked through an IOR so I can't say first hand about their quality or clarity. I can only base my judgements on reports I read. The Burris, Nikon, and Leupold all have very good glass. I have a couple of each of them and I would rate them similar in quality. I have not seen the latest Masters version of Simmons scopes. While I have a half dozen or so of older Simmons scopes, they hold up fine mechanically but the optics are not as bright and clear as the others. For a varmint gun that might serve some purpose on a dog town, groundhog field, or any other day time use, I personally would lean towards the Nikon Monarch. I have a few of them and they seem to hold up very well. The optical clarity is on par with my Leupold Vari-X III, Burris Black Diamond, and close to my Zeiss Conquest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strubedog Posted April 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2006 Re: Illuminated Riflescopes My only reservation with the nikon is the lower mag power of 6.5 could give me troubles when in the woods chasing critters with brush etc.. or finding game that is moving at closer distance. That is kind of why I was looking at a happy medium of 4x14. Does that rational make sense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted April 3, 2006 Report Share Posted April 3, 2006 Re: Illuminated Riflescopes To some. I have no problems using a 6x in the woods. My deer guns never see a setting below 6x. Since I shoot with both eyes open, I can use it from in your face distance to my max range. But each person is different. I guess my next pick would be the Burris. I am just not a Leupold fan. Way over rated IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Xen Posted April 3, 2006 Report Share Posted April 3, 2006 Re: Illuminated Riflescopes if you are looking for clarity, i'd check into the zeiss line of scopes. they make some awesome scopes that have illuminated reticles. just be aware that the illuminated reticle is really only gonna do a lot for you in low lighting conditions. last year my dad picked up a Diavari VM/V 3-12x56 for $1100, it's one of the best scopes i've ever used. i don't know if you could pick one up for under 1000 or not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strubedog Posted April 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2006 Re: Illuminated Riflescopes The ziess iluuminated scopes start at like 1400 so those are out. I read a review from a guy at predatormasterforums and he thought the leupold was clearer then the burris. I will have to find a place that has them both and look at them. At what distance is it important to have side focus for parallax? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 Re: Illuminated Riflescopes AJ mentioned the Atec by Simmons. You might see a difference between this and the more expensive scopes, but I have two of the new generation Master series Atecs and am really impressed.Before you put a second mortgage on your home to buy a new scope check the Simmons out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strubedog Posted April 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 Re: Illuminated Riflescopes IOR f.y.i.- I have talked with folks on various forums and I keep hearing the glass it comparable to swarovski, ziess, schmidt bender etc... but it is sells at a discount. They are a little heavier in weight though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 Re: Illuminated Riflescopes Cool, thanks for the info. I do know that IOR was being using Zeiss as a consultant for optical coatings. That is a big part in light transmission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strubedog Posted April 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 Re: Illuminated Riflescopes AJ, at predatormasterforums I found numerous posts where many felt IOR was way above anything in usa leupold etc... On a couple of posts people were saying the only scopes they would buy would be nightforce or IOR. The glass is made at same place as some of the others and uses zies t3 coatings. thanks for putting me on to this line of scope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 Re: Illuminated Riflescopes Sweet! That would not suprise me at all. The glass is from Schott Glasswerk, Germany which is owned by the Carl Zeiss Foundation. There are a few scopes made here in the US that are world class like the Nightforce, US Optics, Unertl, but they are very expensive. I definately do not put Leupold in the same category. I may have to get an IOR and see how they compare. Thanks for the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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